{"id":97521,"date":"2019-08-31T09:00:11","date_gmt":"2019-08-31T13:00:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.bhgre.com\/bhgrelife\/?p=97521"},"modified":"2019-08-30T12:49:00","modified_gmt":"2019-08-30T16:49:00","slug":"basement-renovation-ideas","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.bhgre.com\/bhgrelife\/basement-renovation-ideas\/","title":{"rendered":"Innovative Ways to Use Your Basement Space"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Finished\nor unfinished, basements are too often overlooked. They are frequently\nforgotten when it comes to considering available space, due to clutter,\ndampness and darkness. These issues can be addressed with a few tried and true\ntechniques and basement renovation\nideas<\/a>.\nHere are five suggestions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Home gym<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Save yourself the gym membership fees and\ncommute time by installing a home gym. For a modest investment, create a\ndedicated workout space that changes with your needs. Start with a yoga mat, an\nelastic exercise band and some free weights. You can find a used weight bench with\na bar and some weights for about $150.00, or find working stationary bikes and\ntreadmills for even less. Heavy bags provide a wonderful way to relieve stress\nand condition your body in the privacy of your own home.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Make your home gym even more serviceable and\ncomfortable by including rubber flooring and a full-length mirror to monitor your\nform. Shelves are handy for exercise books, cleaning supplies and bottled\nwater. A bar fridge or plug-in water cooler will help you stay hydrated.\nFinally, a smart TV that supports YouTube lets you sample a variety of exercise\ntechniques or catch up on the news during cardio.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2. Home Theater or Music Room<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A home theater delights the whole family and\nis relatively cheap to install. A large screen smart TV and a family computer\nwith lots of memory are a great way to begin. Good speakers enhance the\nentertainment experience. Sectional couches (or old movie theater seats)\nprovide ample, comfortable seating. A microwave and a bar fridge allow you to\nprepare snacks and refreshments for game or movie nights. Carpeting is a good\nidea to warm up the space and reduce noise.  If you\u2019re willing to make the investment, cork\nflooring provides a beautiful and forgiving surface that doesn\u2019t need\nvacuuming. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

3. All-Ages Playroom<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The large footprint basements offer means\nlittle ones can scatter their toys and enjoy hours of fun. Shelves for books\nand board games make the space useful. Install a large table for crafting and\npainting, as well as for puzzles and games.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The good news is your basement can provide a\nplayroom no matter your age. Invest in an air hockey or ping pong table, foosball,\nminiature pool table or a pinball machine to create a grown-up relaxation\nspace.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

4. Bedroom, Bathroom, and Laundry Room Combo<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

An extra shower in the family home is a great\nidea and it gives guests a little more privacy. Installing one in your laundry\nroom can be an efficient strategy. Adding bedrooms and bathrooms will also improve\nthe resale value of your property and provide a convenient place to host family\nand friends. Be sure you comply with regulations, including mandatory exits and\nclosets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

5. Bachelor Suite<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

If you\u2019ve already got a bathroom and bedroom\ndownstairs, think a little bigger. A children\u2019s room adds convenience for\nsleepovers, while a full guest suite provides extra income through homestay\nstudents or long-term tenants. A kitchen space that includes a sink, stove,\nrefrigerator and table is essential for a self-contained rental unit.  Additionally, a private entrance is the single\nmost important feature tenants looks for. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Before\nyou embark on a basement renovation, make a list of goals. Use shelving and\nstorage boxes to pack and re-organize everything you\u2019ve stashed under the\nhouse. Unify what\u2019s stored into a single room furthest away from the social or\nliving areas of your repurposed basement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Invest\nin a dehumidifier<\/a>. As the damp disappears, so will\nthe impression of coldness. Cozy is good, but hygge is better.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Eliminate\ndark basement corners with appropriate lighting or add a large carpet to unify\nthe space and provide bright splashes of color. Paint walls white or an\nengaging hue, like butter yellow, to improve your mood. Add to this airy\nbrightness by choosing shiny flooring materials and a variety of small lamps.\nUse mirrors and clear glass windows to brighten the space or use frosted glass\nlit from behind to give the impression of windows. \n\nOverall, it\u2019s most\nimportant to be creative. It\u2019s your basement, after all.\n\n\n\n<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"